Herald Blogs

Gov. Deval Patrick, center, surrounded by legislators and supporters, including State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, third from left, and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, third from right, signs a bill at the Statehouse in Boston, Thursday, July, 31, 2008, repealing the 1913 law that blocked out-of-state gay couples from marrying in Massachusetts. Legislators amended the bill Wednesday, allowing the law to go into effect immediately.

By GLENN JOHNSON, Associated Press

BOSTON -- Joy Spring and Carla Barbano spent the day before their wedding the way many brides do: relaxing and primping at a spa.

But unlike most, their wedding day had to wait until Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill Thursday that repealed a 1913 law that had blocked gay couples from outside Massachusetts from marrying here.

"We're being recognized as a married couple," said Spring, of Middletown, N.Y., who planned to wed Barbano, her partner of seven years, at a ceremony Friday in Provincetown.

Supporters of the repeal of the law, which banned couples from marrying in Massachusetts unless their unions would be legal in their home states, say lifting the ban was not only fair but will have economic benefits.

A state study estimates that more than 30,000 out-of-state gay couples - most of them from New York - will wed in Massachusetts over the next three years. That would boost the state's economy by $111 million and create 330 jobs, the study estimated.

Opponents say Massachusetts now could become the "Las Vegas of gay marriage," and they criticized lawmakers for infringing on other states' rights to define marriage.

Patrick, the state's first black governor, said he was proud to sign the bill repealing the law, which some say had its roots in trying to block interracial marriages.

Massachusetts in 2003 became the first state to rule gay couples had a right to marry; California recently legalized gay marriage, without a residency requirement.

"In five years now, the sky has not fallen, the earth has not opened to swallow us all up, and more to the point, thousands and thousands of good people - contributing members of our society - are able to make free decisions about their personal future, and we ought to seek to affirm that every chance we can," said Patrick, whose 18-year-old daughter recently revealed publicly she's a lesbian.

A state study estimates that more than 30,000 out-of-state gay couples - most of them from New York - will wed in Massachusetts over the next three years. That would boost the state's economy by $111 million and create 330 jobs, the study estimated.

An emergency preamble attached to Thursday's law allowed out-of-staters to begin marrying immediately.

That's good news for Spring and Barbano, whose 11-year-old daughter, Lizzy, will exchange rings with the couple at the ceremony Friday.

"It's extremely important. If something happened to one of us she'd always be taken care of," said Spring, who joined Barbano in a civil union in 2006 in New York.

The couple is from one of the few states that will recognize their impending union: New York Gov. David Paterson said earlier this year that state law requires recognition of legal marriages performed elsewhere.

"Now New Yorkers can drive across the border to a neighboring state (and) get a marriage license that will be recognized as fully legal and valid here at home," said a statement from Empire State Pride Agenda, a New York gay rights group.

The California Supreme Court ruled this year that same-sex marriage is legal, and Rhode Island law is quiet on the subject. Other states specifically forbid it, though a few allow same-sex civil unions.

Opponents said the ban prevented Massachusetts from interfering with the decisions of other states - the overwhelming majority of which specifically bar same-sex marriage. The old law had been invoked by then-Gov. Mitt Romney, who said repealing it would make Massachusetts the "Las Vegas of gay marriage."

Now opponents say the Massachusetts repeal may just give fresh momentum to efforts for a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage across the country.

"This is a clarion call for the rest of the nation on the dangers of this radical social experiment, and also the essential need for a federal marriage amendment to clearly define marriage as the union of one man and one woman," said Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute.

"Same-sex marriage is a social experiment, and it certainly will have an impact on the culture, particularly the children, where we already see that in Massachusetts, children are being educated on the efficacy of same-sex marriage and the irrelevance of fatherhood and motherhood," Mineau said.

Asked if the change in Massachusetts might create legal problems for couples returning to states with gay marriage bans, Patrick said: "What we can do is tend our own garden and make sure that it's weeded, and I think we've weeded out a discriminatory law."

Your Board of Directors is committed to open communication and we will be sending periodic updates on Festival News and plans for the 11th Annual Festival in April, 2009.

· As previously announced, the MGLFF had an operating deficit (expenses exceeded revenues) of approximately $50,000 for the fiscal-year-ending May 31, 2008. Expenses were on budget; however revenues were adversely impacted by the withdrawal of support by 3 key corporate sponsors. Fortunately, prior years' surpluses more than offset the deficit and the organization remains fiscally sound. We are currently collecting the outstanding grants and trade receivables and expect to pay all outstanding invoices by the end of August. Your Festival has not incurred any additional debt and is not insolvent.

· Your Board of Directors did have to make the tough decisions to release 3 of its 4 staff members (one staff member voluntarily resigned). Standard severance arrangements were provided to all released employees. We wish all of our staff the best in their future endeavors with hopes of much success.

· Our office on Lincoln Road will remain open until the end of the lease on August 31, 2008. We are actively searching for cost-efficient office space within Miami Dade County, which is more reasonable in cost and includes sufficient parking for full-time/seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns.

· Your Board of Directors met this past weekend and approved the 2008-2009 Budget, which is conservative, realistic and produces a small budget surplus. The intent is to maintain the full 10-day program in Miami Dade with Fort Lauderdale programming included within the event. We also adopted a revised staffing model, which includes a full-time Executive Director, full-time Program Manager, part-time Office Manager, contracted grant writer, and contracted bookkeeper.

· Our national search for an Executive Director is well underway and discussions with several qualified candidates have been initiated. In addition to extensive Festival experience, our ideal candidate must also have a proven track record in Development. With ticket sales producing 25% of needed revenue, the Executive Director must lead the organization's fundraising campaign for grants, sponsors, advertisers and members. In addition, all Board members and staff will have revenue goals.

· We have already been awarded grants for the production of the 11th Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in April, 2009. We extend our thanks to Aqua Foundation for Women, Communion Foundation, Miami Beach VCA, The John C. Graves Charitable Fund, and the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs.

· We are committed to maintaining a year-round schedule with monthly screenings and events. Be on the lookout for movie screening announcements in August and September.

Your Board of Directors has been proactive in its recent actions and has implemented sound plans to ensure the future of the organization for the years to come. We are indeed, at a critical point in its history. As a cultural & community institution, it requires strong support from the community for continued prominence and prosperity.

If you currently are not a member of the MGLFF/FLGLFF, please join now. A basic Memberships is $60 and payment plans are available for higher level memberships. You can also support your Film Festival through volunteerism. There are openings available on the Fundraising, Membership, Corporate Sponsorship, and Fort Lauderdale Event committees. For more information please contact us at info@mglff.com. You may reach Franc Castro at fcastro@mglff.com or Francesca Roderick at francesca@mglff.com

A heartbreaking romantic epic, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED tells an evocative story of forbidden love and the loss of innocence set in the pre-WWII era. In the film, Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode, Match Point) becomes entranced with the noble Marchmain family, first through the charming and provocative Sebastian, and then his sophisticated sister, Julia. As Charles' emotional attachment to the entire Marchmain clan deepens, however, he finds himself and his atheism increasingly at odds with the family's ardent Catholic beliefs, rigidly enforced by the matriarch, Lady Marchmain (Academy Award-winner Emma Thompson). The rise and fall of Charles' infatuations reflect the decline of a decadent era in England between the wars. The film, based on Evelyn Waugh's acclaimed novel is adapted for the screen by multiple BAFTA Award-winner Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones Diary, Bleak House) and Jeremy Brock (The Last King of Scotland) and directed by Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane).

WIN A FREE COPY OF THE NOVEL THAT STARTED IT ALL

In anticipation of the highly awaited film adaptation of BRIDESHEAD REVISITED we're offering a select number of copies of the Evelyn Waugh novel to new members. Be among the first to either join today or up your membership to the next level and receive a copy of what has been called one of the most engaging novels of it's time.

A week's worth of the six hottest gay films of the summer brought to you by TLA Releasing! With thrillers, frisky comedies, and romantic dramas there's something for everyone. Bangkok Love Story is an edgy thriller about a hired assassin who falls for his hunky victim. Boystown is a candy-colored comedy with hot men, sizzling bathhouses and murders. In I Dreamt Under the Water a young man's search for love fuels this graphically, sexual drama. Sparks fly when a soldier explores his same-sex desires with a free-spirited young man in the romantic drama Dog Tags. In 3-Day Weekend, eight hunky men bond and swap beds over a drama- filled weekend. And in the documentary Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon, the outrageous story of 1970's porn icon Jack Wrangler is told with humor, celebrity interviews, and archival footage.

COMING IN AUGUST...A Special Screening for our Members!

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The Miami/Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will soon be announcing a special screening for our members and supporters in partnership with TLA's week long showcase of the best and the brightest in the new crop of LGBT films. Keep you're eyes on your inbox for dates, times and info on how to purchase tickets.

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced that Federal Judge K. Michael Moore ruled that school officials in Okeechobee, Florida, must allow a gay-straight alliance (GSA) club to meet on campus. In a precedent-setting order, the judge upheld his earlier ruling that GSAs do not interfere with abstinence-only education and in a legal first, holds that schools must provide for the well-being of gay students.

Moore also broke the legal mold by asserting that schools must provide for the well-being of gay students to the same extent as straight students and therefore, the school may not discriminate against the GSA. In the order, the court grants students in the GSA “all the rights and privileges granted to other noncurricular groups.” The victory is the second federal student rights case won by the ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy Project and the national ACLU LGBT Project this summer.

“Judge Moore’s ruling that GSAs are beneficial to gay students and that they don’t harm straight students is unparalleled. This is a clear victory for the students, for the Okeechobee GSA and indeed for all high school students in Florida,” said Robert Rosenwald, Director, ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project. “These are brave students who would not be silenced and did not tolerate discrimination. So many children cannot stand up for themselves, but hopefully this ruling will serve as warning to other Florida schools that equal access truly means equal access, and schools that choose not to follow the law will be inviting similar litigation.”

The ACLU prevailed in Okeechobee on both Equal Access Act and First Amendment grounds. The federal Equal Access Act (20 U.S.C. § 4071(a)) requires schools that allow any extracurricular activities to meet on campus to allow all extra-curricular student groups to do so, and to treat every club equally.

Regarding the First Amendment, Judge Moore quoted the famed 1969 Tinker case stating that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." Moore went on to state that “the desire of the GSA to meet as a group to discuss matters pertinent to the challenges presented by their non-heterosexual identity and to build understanding and trust with other heterosexual students sounds in the political speech addressed in Tinker.”

In referencing Tinker, Moore refers to Gillman v. School Bd. For Holmes County, Fla., a First Amendment case won by the ACLU in May after a two-day trial in which the high school principal testified that he believed clothing or stickers featuring rainbows would make students automatically picture gay people having sex. In June, federal judge Richard Smoak ordered Ponce de Leon High School to pay $325,000 in legal fees to the American Civil Liberties Union after ruling that the school violated student Heather Gilman’s Constitutional right to free speech. Gillman and her friends were suspended from school after wearing clothes and stickers supporting their openly gay friends.

Moore noted “that the GSA's tolerance based message would not materially or substantially interfere with discipline in the operation of the school. In order for [the school board] to justify its refusals to recognize the GSA as a student organization, ‘it must be able to show that its action was caused by something more than a mere desire to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint.’ This is precisely what [the school board] has failed to do.”

This order will allow the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight students to meet on campus, just as other non-curricular clubs do, to discuss issues about bullying, tolerance and discrimination. GSAs across the state and country have been shown to help gay and straight students feel safer at school, and provide an open forum for students to discuss their fears, hopes and challenges.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that the judge agreed we have a right to create a safe space for gay students at my school,” said Brittany Martin, a 17-year-old upcoming senior at OHS who is the GSA’s president. She added, “All we’ve ever wanted was to have a club to talk about tolerance and harassment so we can try to make our school a better place for all students.”

“It has been a long road and we are very pleased with the outcome. Now the students at Okeechobee High School can start the new school year with a clean slate and openly discuss the problems they face with fellow classmates,” added Rosenwald.

The ACLU filed the federal lawsuit in November 2006 after students at Okeechobee High School were denied access to meet on campus by their principal, Toni Wiersma. Then-senior Yasmin Gonzalez approached the ACLU and after several failed attempts by the ACLU to convince the school to comply with the Federal Equal Access Act, the lawsuit was filed. The ACLU won a preliminary injunction in 2007 allowing students to meet on campus after repeated failed attempts by the defendants to characterize the club as “sex-based”.

The Federal Equal Access Act requires schools to treat gay-straight alliances as they would any other school group. Federal courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of GSA’s where schools tried to block their formation, upholding students’ right to form the groups across the U.S., including in Salt Lake City, Utah; White County, Georgia; Orange County, California; Franklin Township, Indiana; and Boyd County, Kentucky.

Lead attorney in Yasmin Gonzalez vs. School Board of Okeechobee County was Robert Rosenwald, Director of the ACLU of Florida’s LGBT Advocacy Project, with assistance from Ken Choe of the ACLU’s national LGBT Project and Zeina Salam of the ACLU of Florida. A copy of the opinion in can be viewed in PDF at: http://www.aclufl.org/pdfs/GSA_MSJ.pdf

About the ACLU of Florida

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our Web site at: www.aclufl.org.

Here's a letter sent Wednesday to Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival board members by festival founder Robert Rosenberg. Below the letter is a response from film festival board member Mark Gilbert:

Dear MGLFF Board Members:

It was reported to me by several people that Mark Gilbert, a Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Board member, spoke as a representative of the Festival at yesterday's meeting of the Mayor's gay committee of the City of Miami Beach, and made some seriously slanderous and dishonest remarks about me and my tenure at the Festival. I understand that he said that, referring to the history of problems at the Festival, that I was fired as the Festival Director seven years ago when the Festival had accrued a $190,000 deficit. I am very upset to know the current Board is allowing these kinds of dishonorable statements to be put out in their name, quite ironically after my graciously accepting an award, just three months ago, for being the Festival's Founding Director.

Everyone knows, both in terms of the public record and the media coverage, that I was not fired for cause but that the Festival and myself acrimoniously parted ways due to some serious disagreements with how to govern the organization. The Board at that time did however have the chuzpah to attempt to deny me State unemployment compensation on the grounds that I was fired with cause, a position that they were 100% forced to back down from. I did indeed receive that compensation, case closed. Since none of you were on the Board at the time (but Mark Gilbert was certainly volunteering with the organization and close to the Board then and should himself know better), you all certainly have different, partial versions of the factual history. If anyone wants to know more, feel free to contact me.

However, the statement about the deficit at the time I left is ludicrous and even more dishonest - we had a debt of about $40,000, which the Festival managed to more than double within a year of my departure. Suffice it to say that one of my disagreements with the Board at that time was over how to approach the existing debt and the ability of certain other staff members to continue in their jobs as the main drivers of corporate underwriting and fiscal management. History proved, unfortunately, that I was right, and the deficit increased after my departure, until the Board addressed these issues. A misstatement of the size of the deficit of this magnitude is unacceptable.

Whether out of malice or sloppiness, this kind of very public defamation has to stop. Since none of you have thought to solicit my opinion on the current crisis the Festival is in, I will not offer it, but suffice it to say that Mark Gilbert going around spouting blatant lies about me and my time with the Festival does not put the Festival and the Board in a good light. Community is not built this way. There are important lessons to learn from the early years of the Festival, if the right questions are asked.

If past experience serves me, this letter might fall on deaf ears, but an apology to me for what Mark said, a public retraction to the Mayor's committee and a promise not to repeat this kind of thing in the future, would be reasonable.

Dear Mr. Rothaus, I am truly appalled at the firing of Ms. Carol Coombes from her position as Director of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It is a particularly heinous act as she may now lose her citizenship, which The Herald takes particular attention in pointing out to all its readers. And to all who my want her considerable talents in the future. To characterize her as "flamboyant" is a ridiculous adjective to use from a Herald Writer such as Mr. Rothaus, who is supposed to report objectively on the Gay, Lesbian,Bi-Sexual and Transgender community in South Florida. I rarely agree with his opinions and choices of coverage, but that is my own bias, and has nothing to do with this editorial.

Ms. Coombes and I are professional acquaintances, and along with Harvey Burstein, who was quoted heavily in the article, I was among the first few supporters of the Festival, giving substantial, at least for me, donations to each of the first two years, and again in the last two festivals. I also served on the marketing committee in the early years of the festival, and as a screener for the 2006 festival.

I believe I speak from experience that she is an extraordinary professional, as is the rest of the staff, including Kareem Tabsch, who stepped down before the Board had a chance to fire him also.

What is wrong with this picture? I do not know the Board Members who made the decision to "rebuild this festival." But I respect and agree with Mr. Burstein that she was "micromanaged."

And we cannot forget the role of South Florida's GLBT Community in not rising to the occasion to match a very genourous matching grant. If all those that attended the Festival had given an extra $5, the Festival would have received a substantial infusion of needed money. Thank you for letting me express my opinion.

OUT AND ABOUT Miami Beach Bruthaz 2008 took place from July 17th-20th in South Beach, and it was a resounding success! The whole weekend of events that included high-end networking events, informative workshops, exhilarating dance parties and trendy fashion shows had an amazing turn out. The reviews from visitors from different cities around the country has been incredible so far, as many promised to be back for next year's weekend. The support of the local community was also very overwhelming, and we sincerely want to thank to the South Floridians who attended as well as the press for the great coverage of the events. Thank you to The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel, MetroMix.com, Mark's List, 411 Magazine, Express Gay News, Great Party Pics, Edge Magazine, Gay SoFla On-Line Magazine, Latino Boys Magazine, Hotspots Magazine, and others, for your valuable participation. The main dance event at Score Nightclub was terrific, as you can see in the pictures above. And special thanks to founder Ian Smith and everyone else who was involved during the weekend. Everything run very smoothly and with a lot of professionalism. You bet next year's line-up will continue to grow, as Miami Beach Bruthaz is sure to become a yearly South Beach staple that has as its main goals unifying the community during Summer season and contributing to increasing the gay community's presence in the country and the world. We are already working on 2009 festivities and with the involvement of other talented individuals and prestigious organizations that have shown their interest in working with us, we know that Miami Beach Bruthaz 2009 will continue to offer a fantastic weekend in America's hotspot, South Beach. Thank you again! www.miamibeachbruthaz.com

Talking about amazing feedback and excitement, South Florida is all exited about the grand opening of Living Room Nightclub, the multi-room, multi-million dollar venue that will be opening its doors during this Summer season in Fort Lauderdale. We have been receiving endless e-mails requesting information and details about the venue, and as of right now, we can share with you the following: the mega-club will offer different rooms (indoors and outdoors) and different formats of music. The design is classy, sophisticated and revolutionary. One of the room is called the Opal Room, a white and clean water based mood space. Then you have Meditation, which is an industrial loft with an elevated VIP area that will be overlooking the yachts and the Intercoastal Waterway. The third indoor room, The Gate, is the main dance floor, which is darker, sexier, opulent and perfectly suited for hardcore dancing. Living Room Nightclub has pure cyber-based technology and the most impressive sound system that Fort Lauderdale has ever seen. Interior designer and nightlife impresario Mark Lowe (owner of the venue) stated in one of the latest press releases: "If I don't blow your head off when you walk in Living Room, then I didn't do my job". More details yet to come..getting ready? www.livingroomnightclub.com

Summertime has brought together special events, grand openings and wonderful celebrations like the 10 year Anniversary of Lincoln Road's infamous Score Nightclub. This past Sunday, July 27, among complimentary massages, stiff cocktails, fresh entertainment and the always sexy and changing decor, Billy Kemp and Luis Morera threw a 10-hour marathon that had a packed dance floor from the Tea Dance, which started at 5 PM with the tribal sounds of DJ Drew Tribe. Door diva Asia Aviance had a busy time welcoming some of the most important personalities of the community including: party couple Jessica Londono and Michael Gongora (who have been hanging out together a lot lately), Hotspots Magazine publisher Peter Clark, celebrity photographer Dale Stine, party promoter Lynn Bove, Halo owner Babak Movahedi, Latino Boys Magazine's Adeilson George and Peter Mentek, professional dancer Michelle Fernandez, Puma's Harold Leath, Wire Magazine's Carl Zablotny, Thomas Barker and Alfredo Barrios, personal trainer and business owner Jim Keizer, event photographer and always sweet JR Davis, hair stylist Carolina Betancur, GaySofla's David Wylie and Geo Bustamante, sales rep Lucia Torero, bartenders Patrick Suaraz and Luke Hobbs, real state agents Jorge Zevallos and Mary Silverino and Crunch Fitness' Lesley Thomas, among many others. By 1 AM, NYC's Peter Rauhofer took over the turntables with his hard, deep and dirty beats until closing time. Thank you to Billy and Luis for the great party, for the wonderful and fun celebration, and for working so hard to offer South Beach a good looking and exiting dance club for our entertainment! www.scorebar.net

Last week, Masterbeat.com featured Megatron (a.k.a. Giuseppe D) and vocalist MichaelM's 2008 electro cover of the classic post disco anthem "Right On Target" on its homepage spotlight. Originally produced by Patrick Cowley in 1982 and sung by Paul Parker, it had reached number 1 on the Billboard dance charts in 1983. Parker and Cowley receive a respectful homepage from Miami based recording artist Michael M. DJ/Producer Maximus 3000 has remixed the track, and he explained in the latest press release: "This project means a lot to me. Not only is this one of my favorite tunes of all times, as well as from Michael M, but also the opportunity to work with friends in the capacity of creation is a humbling experience. The track hit #1 in 1983; perhaprs we can repeat history in more ways than one!" If you didn't know, Masterbeat has recently acquired the entire Sony/BMG family of labels and has begun to release fantastic dance and 12" collections and maxi-singles of some of USA's brightest top 40 artists. Congratulations to Giuseppe D, Michael M, Maximus 3000 and the other producers/remixers involved in this exciting project. To see "Right On Target" in Masterbeat, click on www.masterbeat.com

On Thursdays, the sensational rooftop of the Gansevoort South at 2377 Collins Avenue, is the hip venue that hosts Michael Capponi's weekly Thursday soiree that has been running for over two years now. Join the glamorous and the model types as you enjoy incredible views of the ocean and great cocktails with sophistication. The Gansevoort South is ostensibly an export from New York City, but in truth, it carries the grandiosity of a Vegas resort with a 50 foot shark tank, and the signature trappings of luxury Miami hotels like an ocean-beach front beach club and spa. The only noticeable nod to New York chic is the magnificent rooftop Plunge Lounge, which is a perfect place to start the party on Thursdays. If you didn't know, the brand new David Barton Gym will also open its doors in this same building, and the Gansevoort promises to be one of the hottest entertainment complex in the upcoming high-season in Miami Beach. For more information on its gatherings and services, click on www.gansevoortsouth.com

Tamara, located inside the historic National Hotel on 1677 Collins Avenue, is a perfect place for any dining occasion. Whether entertaining clients for a business lunch or spending a romantic evening with a special someone, Tamara, named after Tamara de Lempicka, whose artwork appears throughout the hotel, offers breathtaking ambiance, consistent service and unforgettable food. Executive Chef Frederic Delaire prepares a tantalizing French mediterranean bistro menu, combining the traditional french school of cuisine with contemporary international and local Floridian flavors to create a delicious and unique culinary experience. Entrees include filet de Mahi-Mahi in Provencale, grilled ribeye with green pepper corn sauce and poulet fermier roti, a double free-range chicken breast marinated in fresh thyme with pommes frites. Before or after dinner, make sure to enjoy the National's signatures cocktails either outdoors at the poolside oasis, Zee Pool Lounge, or inside at the vintage and chic D'Lounge. To make reservations, click on www.nationalhotel.com

Restaurateur GrazianoSbroggio's latest venture is one of the freshest on Lincoln Road - literally. Le Bon, which means "It's good" in the Italian dialect of Sbroggio's native Veneto region, serves flavorful mussels prepared in more than a dozen ways: six types of steaming pots, five bake au gratin variations and, of course, raw on the half shell. In addition, Le Bon offers delicious Belgian specialties such as a seafood Waterzooi and stone crabs (in season), superb fries and a stylish and modern decor. A perfect spot for seafood lovers, lunch meetings, casual and even romantic diners, LeBon's concept, location (723 Lincoln Road), great service and flexibility works very well for day or night occasions. www.lebonrestaurant.com

Marriott South Beach at 161 Ocean Drive has to be one of the most chic hotels in our island with a very exquisite Miami flavor to it. The art deco vibe of its art and decor along with the high-end yet very inviting ambiance of the property makes it one of the preferred places to stay and enjoy the weather on the Beach. Not only that, but the Deco Blue Terrace restaurant and outdoor lounge overlooks the beautiful pool area and is located only a few yards away from the ocean. The Terrace is a fantastic place for frozen drinks in the afternoon, for a casual dinning experience throughout the day and even brunch on the weekends. A venue that offers a very personalized service for locals and visitors alike, it's just perfect as a different hang-out place to experience in the South of Fifth area. For more information, click on www.marriottsouthbeach.com

On Fridays and in spite of the tough economy, you can still see the long lines of partygoers lined-up at SET Miami, at 320 Lincoln Road. The beautiful crowd seems to be always anxiously waiting to cross the velvet ropes and to party into the wee hours with the European house music beats of its resident, French transplant DJ Pedro, and guests. The decor is almost as sexy as the foreigners and the locals who have made SET literally a "set" venue on Friday nights. Filled with glamour and the anticipated South Beach drama, SET Miami serves as a perfect example of the Miami Beach and celebrity oriented hang out place, which is all about who you know and see and be seen. However once you are in, a great time is almost guaranteed! It's all about being in the right mood for it, you may think. For more information about its upcoming events and to experience a SET night out, click on www.setmiami.com

La Piaggia, at 1000 South Point Drive in Miami Beach, it's considered by The Sun Post as "the best beach club in Miami". This beach haven restaurant and club overlooking the legendary Fisher Island, has quickly become a favorite of the "jet setting" crowd on our island. With its tropical essence and fantastic international, French and Mediterranean menu, La Piaggia is the ultimate escape for a picture perfect afternoon in Miami. The style is European and designed just like the resorts in the French Riviera. "Great food, full bar, a saltwater lagoon, table and chair massages and waterfront view", is how The Sun Post describes La Piaggia, with all due justice. The highlights of the brilliant menu include fresh seafood - such as the poached salmon and French mussels served in white wine and cream sauce - along with classics like The Tartare du Gorille, a tartar steak. Miami's elite are flocking to this secret hideaway where every member is treated like royalty. www.lapiaggiabeach.com

The world-famous Mandarin Oriental Hotel infuses the city's hotel pool scene and fantastic views with relaxing Asian elegance. The Brickell Key outpost features an infinity-edge pool that cuts to a view of Biscayne Bay with the Miami skyline, showing it as a futuristic metropolis. The hotel's man-made beach adds to the aquatic ambiance with elevated lounge mattresses and elegant beach furniture. A favorite hang out place for suits and scenesters, the hotel is an excellent option for foreigners' leisure and business needs. The soothing spa, the entertainment, the great service, the upscale restaurants and the treats of the Mandarin Oriental know how to draw Miami's nightlife crowd to the mainland and the Key. www.themandarinoriental.com

Addressing the needs of a vibrant and growing recovery community, Sobernightlife.com, Inc., the world's first sober nightlife organizers expanded its reach in May 2008 with a newly launched interactive website www.sobernightlife.com. With a mission to bring an exciting nightlife alternative to the nation's sober community, Sobernightlife.com Inc. partners with lounges, coffee shops, and nightclubs to specifically cater events to members of the community living in sobriety.

Sobernightlife.com, Inc. will be launching in South Florida, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C this summer and early fall. With monthly events already happening in Delray Beach, Florida and the surrounding area the new concept has exceeded the expectations of Jonah Yolman, Founder of Sobernightlife.com, Inc. The highly anticipated Miami Launch Party will take place on Sunday, August 31st, 2008 from 8:00PM - 1:00AM at The White Room, located at 1306 N. Miami Avenue, in Downtown Miami, bringing South Florida's sober community together for a night of live entertainment, networking, and proof that the fun doesn't have to stop just because you're sober.

Miami Launch Party guests will be treated to complimentary sober friendly drinks and hor d'oeuvres while finding themselves surrounded by a chic, inviting, and sophisticated environment that appeals to all of their senses inside the three distinct areas of The White Room. Music will be provided by Superstar DJ's from around the world including DJ Zero Z from Australia in the two main rooms, while live bands and entertainment perform under the stars in the venues lush, open-air courtyard featuring private cabanas and tropical landscape.

The Sobernightlife.com Miami Launch Party will take place from 8:00PM - 1:00AM at The White Room, located at 1306 N. Miami Avenue, in Downtown Miami. Tickets for this event are available online at sobernightlife.com.

For additional information you may contact Sobernightlife.com, Inc at 954-600-3154.

Sobernightlife.com, Inc. is owned and operated by people living in sobriety; sobernightlife.com is bringing the sober community new venues, events, and other social gatherings around the country where they will feel safe and carefree. For more information, you may log on to www.sobernightlife.com.

From Samara Riviera, editor in chief of VivaLaRiviera.com, a "transgender entertainment source":

Hello Everybody,

This is such a special week not only for the website but for the transgender community of the world. Last week one of my trans friends got married. That’s right there was a transgender wedding and ViVaLaRiviera has the exclusive footage of the first of it’s kind wedding. My trans friend Yessenia married her man Fernando. Yes there was a church ceremony and a big, huge party in Queens, NY. I really hope you guys enjoy and share the happiness with Yessenia and Fernando and the whole trans community of this Wedding of the Century event. Check out the videos and pictures and leave your comments.

Also, check out a video commentary of myself and Evelyn on being out and proud as a trans woman. There is no reason why a completely passable trans woman could not be out and proud of her gender expression. We were not born to be men, we were not born to be women, we were born to be transgender. So be out and be proud ladies!

And also enjoy Fabiola’s visit to the Transempowerment offices and her Spanish interview with its founder Natalie Isaacs. Disfruten de los videos y fotos mis amigas.